In this post, we'll show you 10 reasons for you switch to IP PBX.
What is an IP PBX?
An IP PBX is a complete telephone system that provides telephone calls over IP data networks. All conversations are sent as data packets over the network.
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The technology includes advanced communication features, but it also provides a significant dose of worry-free scalability and robustness. The IP PBX is also able to connect to traditional PSTN lines through equipment, devices or optional boards – to let everyday communication into this more advanced voice and data network!
Companies do not need to change their current external communication infrastructure and to use the PABX. With an IP PBX in place, a company can even keep their conventional phone numbers already disclosed. In this way, the IP PBX switches local calls over the data network within the company and allows all users to share the same external phone lines.
An IP PBX or IP telephone system consists of one or more SIP phones, an IP PBX server and optionally a VoIP gateway to call existing PSTN lines. The IP PBX server functions similarly to a proxy server. SIP clients, whether softphones or desk phones, register with the IP PBX server, and when they want to make a call they ask the IP PBX to establish the connection. The IP PBX has a directory of all phones/users and their corresponding SIP addresses and so is able to connect an internal call or route an external call either through a VoIP gateway or a VoIP service provider. More information and generally asked questions about IP PBXs can be found at IP PBX, SIP and VoIP FAQ.
Benefit 1 when switching to IP PBX: Much easier to install and configure than a conventional telephone system
An IP PBX works like software on a computer and can leverage the advanced processing power of the computer and user interface as well as Windows features. Anyone proficient in networking and computers can install and maintain an IP PBX. In contrast, a conventional telephone system often requires an installer trained on that particular system!
Benefit 2 when switching to IP PBX: Easier to manage due to web/GUI based configuration interface
An IP PBX can be managed through a web-based configuration interface or a graphical interface, allowing you to easily maintain and improve your telephone system. Proprietary phone systems have difficult-to-use interfaces that are often designed to be used only by phone technicians.
Benefit 3 When Switching to IP PBX: Significant Cost Savings Using VoIP Providers
With an IP PBX you can easily use a VOIP service provider for long distance and international calls. The monthly savings are significant. If you have branch offices, you can easily connect telephone systems between branches and make free phone calls.
Benefit 4 when switching to IP PBX: Eliminate telephone wiring
An IP phone system allows you to connect hardware IP phones directly to a standard computer network port (which can be shared with the computer next door). Software phones can be installed directly on the PC. Now you can eliminate telephone wiring and make adding or removing extensions much easier. In new offices you can completely eliminate the need for wiring extra ports to be used by the office phone system!
Benefit 5 When Switching to IP PBX: Vendor Independence
IP PBXs are based on the open SIP standard. You can mix and match any hardware or software SIP phone with any SIP based IP PBX, PSTN Gateway or VOIP provider. In contrast, a proprietary telephone system often requires proprietary phones to use advanced features, and proprietary extension modules to add features.
Benefit 6 when switching to IP PBX: Scalability
Proprietary systems are easy to overcome. Adding more phone lines or extensions often requires expensive hardware modules. In some cases, you need an entirely new phone system.Not so with an IP PBX. A standard computer can easily handle a large number of phone lines and extensions – just add more phones to your network to expand!
Benefit 7 When Switching to IP PBX: Improved Customer Service and Productivity
With an IP PBX you can provide better customer service and better productivity. Since the IP phone system is now computer-based, you can integrate phone functions with business applications. For example, opening the caller's customer record automatically when you receive his/her call, dramatically improving customer service and reducing costs by reducing time spent on each call. Outbound calls can be made directly from Outlook, eliminating the need for the user to enter the phone number.
Benefit 8 when switching to IP PBX: Twice the phone system features for half the price
Since an IP PBX is software-based, it's easier for developers to add and improve feature sets. Most VoIP phone systems come with a rich feature set, including auto attendant, voicemail, ring groups, advanced reporting and more. These options are often very expensive on proprietary systems.
Benefit 9 when switching to IP PBX: Allow multi-user and roaming phone
Hot desking, the process of being able to easily move around the office/desk based on the task at hand, has become very popular. Unfortunately traditional PBXs require extensions to be re-fixed to the new location.With an IP PBX the user simply takes their phone to their new desk – No patching required!
Users can roam too – if an employee has to work from home, he/she can simply fire up their SIP software phone and are able to answer calls to their extension just as if they were in the office. Calls can be diverted to anywhere in the world because of the features of the SIP protocol!
Benefit 10 when switching to IP PBX: Improved phone usability: SIP phones are very easy to use
Employees often struggle using advanced phone features. Setting up a conference, or transferring a call into an old PBX requires detailed instructions.
Not so with an IP PBX – all functionality is easily performed from a user friendly Windows GUI. In addition, users have a better overview of the status of other extensions, incoming calls, service queues, and presence through the Windows IP PBX client. Proprietary systems often require expensive “system” phones to get an idea of what's going on on your phone system and even then the status information is gimmicky at best.
Conclusion
Investing in a software-based IP PBX makes a lot of sense, not only for new companies that buy a phone system, but also for companies that already have a PBX. An IP PBX provides significant savings in management, maintenance and service costs, whereas upgrading to an IP PBX should be the obvious choice for any business.
Source: http://www.3cx.com/pbx/pbx-benefits/
